U.S. Vintage Trolley Systems

John Smatlak - Railway Preservation Resources

Welcome to the Vintage Trolley Web Site! 

This site provides an overview of U.S. Vintage Trolley (a.k.a. Heritage Trolley) operations. From these pages you can visit the impressive variety of systems now in regular operation and learn about proposals for new systems. Each page links to websites covering the individual systems and new information is being added continuously, so check back regularly. Contributions are always welcome.

What is a Vintage Trolley? 

A Vintage Trolley is regularly-scheduled public transportation using genuine historic or replica electric railway cars in an urban environment, which is operated independently from an established railway or trolley museum. The cars run on rails and operate electrically from overhead wires or a mobile generator.  

Vintage Trolleys are part of the ongoing renaissance which is bringing new life to America's urban centers. As more and more Americans return to the city, the need for new urban transportation solutions grows ever more important. Transportation is the key to creating great public places- and cities across the country are taking a new look at an old idea, the city streetcar. Whether applied in the form of a Vintage Trolley or a Modern Streetcar, the goal of helping build livable communities remains the same.  

Vintage Trolleys provide an authentic historic trolley experience that mixes urban transportation with visitor entertainment. The ratio of this mixture varies widely; on some systems the trolleys are operated as part of the local transit system and provide a full-fledged transportation function. Other operations are quite small, and are primarily operated as a tourist attraction, often by a local non-profit. 

Why are Trolley / Streetcar systems being built? 

While each system is different, the development of a trolley/streetcar operation is usually driven by the need to provide attractive short-trip urban circulation, while facilitating economic development.  A trolley/streetcar is a proven way to attract "choice" riders (riders who have ready access to a car and are not transit dependent), a significant advantage over rubber-tired alternatives. By connecting together activity centers, parking and other forms of transit with convenient service levels, the line can become the key to creating a vibrant cityscape that is attractive to residents and retailers alike. 

With a well-chosen route, both Vintage Trolley and Modern Streetcar systems have an excellent track record of being a catalyst for change and helping communities maximize public/private investment. This is due in part to the fixed nature of the rail infrastructure, it  implies permanence- it's going to be there for a long time. It's also highly visible, has an easily understood route, and the quiet, pollution-free electric trolleys blend in well with the community. 

Vintage Trolley systems in particular are also much less expensive to build and operate than conventional rail systems. Infrastructure is simpler, consistent with the trolley's lower speeds and circulator function.  Because it is easily integrated into the built urban environment, Vintage Trolley costs significantly less per mile than higher capacity, longer-distance Light Rail systems. Both have their roles to play in the public transit arena of course, and some cities are using Vintage Trolley as a precursor to a new Light Rail system, offering a low-cost "demonstrator" line that can later be extended or incorporated into a larger system.   

Replica trolley cars

One of the most exciting aspects of today's Vintage Trolley systems are the replica trolley cars being offered by companies such as the Gomaco Trolley Company of Ida Grove, Iowa. Replica cars have also been produced in-house; the New Orleans RTA partnered with supplier Brookville Equipment and built 23 of its own cars in 2002. Other cities, such as Philadelphia, opted for a total rebuilds of vintage PCC type streetcars (in this case 18 cars by Brookville Equipment), applying new running gear and control equipment to create an almost new car. Costs for a replica trolley from Gomaco currently range around $870,000 for an air conditioned double-truck car (using rebuilt vintage running gear and modern control equipment). A typical diesel transit bus costs about half as much, but has a shorter service life (17 years vs. 25 for trolley / streetcar / LRV). A modern light rail vehicle or modern streetcar costs from $3 - $3.5M. 

Go to the Replica Trolley Cars page for a complete roster of all replica cars built to date, with facts and figures (including cost) on each.   

Gomaco replica vintage car Capacity: 88 passengers; 

44 seated, 44 standing

How are Vintage Trolleys different from Modern Streetcars?

Both the Vintage Trolley and the Modern Streetcar utilize essentially the same infrastructure. Both can be easily integrated into the built urban environment using relatively low-impact construction techniques. Both vintage and modern cars can be air conditioned, and both can provide a comfortable ride given the short trip times involved. There are differences in the vehicles to be sure; Modern Streetcars can achieve level boarding with relative ease, and of course they provide the ultra-modern appearance which may be desirable depending on other project elements. It should also be noted that some cities (such as Portland) have operated both types of cars on the same route.   

There are also significant differences in vehicle cost and complexity, a modern replica vintage car selling from about $870,000 and a modern articulated streetcar at around $3M (the vehicle is also larger, see sidebar). The replica vintage cars are also readily available and US-built, avoiding the Buy America issues that are currently confronting agencies buying the present generation of off-the-shelf vehicle from Inekon in the Czech Republic (plans are also underway to begin building such vehicles in the US, click here for a related story). In the end, a host of local factors will play into the decision of which vehicle type should be used, but both can provide effective urban circulation that is attractive to riders. 

Inekon/Skoda modern articulated streetcar

Capacity: 156 passengers; 

30 seated, 127 standing

For more information  

For more background information on Vintage Trolleys, the May 2001 issue of Railway Age had an excellent article on Vintage Trolleys. For a more in-depth look at modern streetcars and vintage trolleys in the context of urban planning, consult "Bring Back the Streetcars, A Conservative Vision of Tomorrow's Transportation" by Paul Weyrich and William Lind, available in pdf format on the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates website. Also, Reconnecting America has published a new book entitled "Street Smart: Streetcars and Cities in the 21st Century", available via their website.

For additional information on the advantages of rail transit in general, check out the Light Rail Now! website.